Supervising trainee research projects: an interview study of nephrology supervisors in Aotearoa New Zealand

Research projects are a mandatory requirement for advanced training in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet trainees and supervisors report challenges in the research process. While barriers and enablers of research have been described internationally, the experience within physician training in New Zealand has not been formally explored.

We aimed to identify barriers and enablers of research conducted by nephrology trainees in New Zealand from the perspective of supervising nephrologists and to inform evidence-based recommendations for addressing challenges.

We carried out semi-structured interviews with nephrologists who had supervised at least one advanced training research project in New Zealand until theoretical sufficiency occurred. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted on transcribed interviews.

Eighteen nephrologists from eight training centres were interviewed. Five themes were identified: (1) perceived value motivates supervisors; (2) research constrained by feasibility, including competing clinical demands with insufficient research time, limited access to specialised research support and bureaucratic delays; (3) trainee engagement and ownership facilitated success; (4) overcoming trainee inexperience with supervisor guidance; and (5) the importance of research infrastructure.

Perceived value, trainee ownership, adequate supervision and supportive infrastructure were critical to successful research projects.